Medical repatriation from Tunisia to France
A holiday in Djerba, Monastir or Hammamet, a family visit or a business trip has ended in hospital, and the patient needs to continue treatment in France. We organise the return from the hospital in Tunisia to the receiving hospital in France.
The route between Tunisia and France
[Route to be confirmed by the company]
Tunis-Carthage, a few kilometres from the capital’s centre, is the country’s main international airport. The coastal resorts are served by Enfidha-Hammamet, Monastir Habib Bourguiba and Djerba-Zarzis, and the south by Sfax-Thyna. On arrival, the usual destinations are Paris, Lyon, Marseille and Nice.
As the crow flies, Tunis is about 800 km from Nice, 1,080 km from Lyon and 1,470 km from Paris-Orly, while Djerba is about 1,790 km from Paris. Nice airport gives a flight time of about 1 hr 30 min to Tunis and 1 hr 55 min to Djerba; Lyon airport about 1 hr 55 min to Tunis or Monastir and 2 hr 15 min to Djerba.
For an air ambulance, the flight time depends on the aircraft, the winds and any technical stop. As an indication only, it is of the same order as a scheduled flight, sometimes more, plus the ambulance transfers.
Three ways to travel
Air ambulance
A dedicated medical aircraft can leave from the airport nearest the resort or hospital, such as Djerba or Monastir, and fly to the airport nearest the receiving hospital in France. Air ambulance
Stretcher on a scheduled flight
Tunisair and Nouvelair fly from Nice to Tunis all year, and Transavia also serves the route. A stretcher depends on the airline, the aircraft and its medical service’s approval. Stretcher on a scheduled flight
Seat with a medical escort
For a patient who can sit, a doctor or nurse travels alongside, provides care during the flight and handles the airline’s formalities. Medical escort
The choice depends on the patient’s condition: see our guide air ambulance or stretcher.
Holidaymakers, relatives and formalities
A holidaymaker who falls ill is usually treated near the resort. If the trip is covered by travel insurance or by the assistance attached to a payment card, call that assistance number first: it often has to agree to the transport in advance.
- French relatives flying out need no visa for a stay of up to three months. The French foreign ministry’s travel advice for Tunisia (in French) asks visitors for a passport valid for at least three months on arrival.
- Tunisian nationals, whether the patient or a relative, need a Schengen short-stay visa for France unless they hold a French residence permit. France-Visas has a purpose called stay for medical care.
- The file: a recent medical report, passport copies and the insurance or assistance references. See documents for a medical repatriation.
Timescale and cost
Once the medical plan, the receiving hospital and the payment are agreed, our usual time from agreement to take-off is [usual time from agreement to take-off]. A flight from Tunis to Nice is short; from Djerba to northern France it takes longer, which affects both timing and price.
See what a repatriation costs, our insurance guide and our other routes.
Questions about repatriation from Tunisia
The patient is in hospital near a resort. Must they go to Tunis first?
Not necessarily. Djerba and Monastir have direct flights to French cities, and an air ambulance can use the airport nearest the hospital.
Can a relative travel with the patient?
Often, depending on the transport and the space on board. A Tunisian relative needs a visa issued in time for departure; a French relative needs a valid passport.
Do you work with the patient’s travel insurer?
Yes, on the basis of a guarantee of payment. See our page for insurers and assistance companies.
Who decides whether the patient can fly?
The treating doctor and the medical team organising the transfer, and on a scheduled flight the airline’s medical service. This page gives general information only and does not replace medical advice. In an emergency, call the local emergency number.
A relative needs to come home from Tunisia?
Send us the details of the hospital in Tunisia and the treating doctor’s contact. Our medical team reviews the file and we reply with the options and a written quote.